North to the Cold

Monday December 23, 2013

            The morning was beautiful yesterday.  It was almost 80 degrees before I saw my first patient at 0800.  It was 86 when we finished our dinner and finally headed north.  In the seventies until midnight when we finally stopped we both wanted to put the top down, but the Christmas presents were over-taking all the extra space in the car.  We did not want any small ones to fly out.  Who knew the wind noise in the convertible would be worse with the top up?

            We woke to a downpour of rain and a small newly formed river flowing down the middle of the road going through the rest stop.  I had charting to finish for work and didn’t mind the delay.  The only problem was that I had to pee.  We, of course, parked at the end where it was dark to sleep.  It was the farthest we could go from the bathroom and still be in the rest stop.  So, I did get my morning shower and then we headed down the road.

            The rain began to slow and the flooding dissipated, but the sun had not come up.  At 0700 it was still as dark as it had been at midnight.  I was beginning to gather concern that I had bounced into the twilight zone.  The idea of being in a famous TV show is somewhat appealing, but I did not want to be late for Christmas.  What excuse can you possibly use for that?  Christmas is scheduled for December 25^th every year until the end of time.  It is not like we don’t all know when it is.  Late is just not an option for any reason.

            The ride has included a truck full of kindling headed to “stick city.”  At least that was the name on the side of the truck.  It was full of the kindling size sticks I was sent to fetch as a kid every time we went camping.  I was thinking Stick city must be next to Straw city and Brick City.  I think that is where the three little pigs live.

            What I have found most humorous thus far is the “Falling Rock” sign that was crushed by a falling rock.  As we drove down the road I saw two signposts with no sign.  Placed in front of the posts was a small wooden sign with the words “falling rock” spray-painted on it.  When we got closer I realized a large rock was resting on top of the original sign on the ground.

            What I find the least humorous is the temperature gage in my car that now tells me as we drive through Tennessee that it is 35 degrees.  At the last rest stop I said, “I am going to get my hat and gloves out of the trunk.”  The Goat Man just laughed at me.  We have not seen any snow yet.